Notwithstanding all his protestations the coast guard could not realize the situation.

The man before him was, however shipwrecked and in distress, so with the proverbial hospitality for which the Irish are famous, the guard said: "Niver moind me lad how ye came ashure.

Ye look tired enough.

Come in here an' lay near the fire." When Paul entered the warm room he removed his uncouth costume.

He was thoroughly worn out buffeting the waves and with his long tramp down the road, so he gladly accepted the proferred bunk close to the fire and was soon in a sound sleep from which he was awakened by a kindly voice saying: "Here me poor fellow, take this, 't will do ye good." Before Paul could realize it he had poured a glass of whiskey down his throat, the strength of which raised every individual hair on his head.
It was then about eight o'clock in the morning and the coast guard house was full of the villagers, men and women who curiously crowded around his bunk.